Fresh appeals as police continue investigation
A MAN who phoned police claiming to be the killer of murdered taxi driver Mohammed Arshad has been charged with perverting the course of justice.
The 50-year-old had called detectives alleging he murdered father-of-three Mr Arshad who was stabbed in the head in Kings Norton, Birmingham on 22 July.
Mr Arshad was found slumped on the ground on Wasthills lane following the frenzied attack.
His blue Ford Galaxy people carrier was found abandoned about a mile down the road.
The hoax 999 call made to detectives was broadcast during an appeal on the BBC programme Crimewatch.
The man was bailed to appear before Redditch Magistrates’ Court on 22 September.
Detectives are continuing with their hunt in finding Mr Arshad’s killer and have made a fresh appeal for witnesses.
Detective Superintendent Sheila Thornes, who is leading the investigation, said information from a new witness could be “significant”.
The female witness reported a near collision with a dark blue taxi a few minutes drive from Wasthills lane around the time of the attack on Mr Arshad.
The woman told detectives she was driving on Longbridge Lane towards the roundabout at the junction with the A441 Redditch Road when she saw a blue people carrier taxi coming towards her on the wrong side of the road.
The witness told police the driver seemed distracted by something in the passenger seat and was leaning over in that direction.
The cars narrowly avoided a collision before the driver, described as a man in his 30s, with dark hair and possibly Asian, continued in the direction of Longbridge.
Detective Superintendent Sheila Thornes said: “This is one of a number of new leads we are following up but is significant given the timing and location.
“It is important for us to establish if this was another taxi or in fact Mr Arshad’s vehicle, a blue Ford Galaxy people carrier which was found abandoned in Shannon Road on the Hawksley estate at about 9pm.
“Therefore I would appeal to the driver involved in this incident, or anyone who thinks they know who he may be, to contact us. If they are not involved they can be very quickly eliminated from the murder inquiry.”
Witnesses or anyone with information should call the Major Incident Room at Redditch Police Station on 0300 333 3000 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
